In this Q&A, we speak with Nora VanRees, a senior majoring in international studies and law, societies, and justice, who was selected as a 2025-26 recipient of the Donald C. and Margery S. Hellmann Scholarship award.
Unique to the Jackson School, the Hellmann Scholarship provides a $5,000 stipend to support the education and training of Jackson School undergraduates with demonstrated excellence in international studies, clear interest in a career in international affairs, and a strong and creative commitment to promoting the international public good.
Name: Nora VanRees
Major(s): International Studies and Law, Societies, and Justice
Expected to graduate: Spring 2026
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What made you choose the University of Washington?
When I first visited campus, I immediately fell in love! I was drawn to the blend between nature and the urban environment in Seattle. It reminded me of home, Portland, but with more people and more opportunities. I also chose the University of Washington because of its social science research centers and focus on human rights.
What led you to the Jackson School?
I originally was going to only major in law, societies, and justice. However, during the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in Peru. The program, “Exploring Human Rights in Practice,” which was offered through the Jackson School, sparked my interest in international human rights. When I got back from Peru, I declared my second major in international studies and started research about Peru as an assistant to a Ph.D. candidate, Alyson Bradley, in the Jackson School.
What was your reaction like to becoming a Hellmann Scholar?
When I found out I would receive the Hellmann Scholarship, I felt overwhelmingly grateful. Becoming a Hellmann Scholar would not be possible without the support of my mentors, friends, and family. I feel honored to be recognized within the Jackson School community for my academic and professional achievements.
How will this award help your goals and career path?
The award will provide me with the financial resources to expand my research both during and after my undergraduate education. This December, I’m traveling to Peru to research child protection frameworks. After graduation, I would like to continue my studies at the Jackson School in the general international studies master’s program. Through this program, I will further develop my research skills while gaining a more nuanced understanding of my particular interests in foreign policy and human rights. After completing my master’s degree, I will pursue a J.D. to practice international human rights law.
What Jackson School class has impacted you the most and why?
It’s challenging to choose only one Jackson School class that has impacted me the most. With that said, one course that I found interesting was Professor Angelina Godoy’s JSIS A 324: Human Rights in Latin America. In this course, I learned about immigration law within the United States. As part of this course, I worked with La Resistencia, a grassroots human rights organization based in Tacoma. I applied my knowledge from class, my language skills, and passion for social justice to make meaningful change in our community. Through the course, I developed a petition to enforce health inspections at the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center. I really appreciated Professor Godoy’s class. It showed me that classroom knowledge can be transformed beyond academia into meaningful activism and policy work to advance human rights.
What key skills have you learned at the Jackson School that you’ll apply to your career?
The ability to read and write well are skills that I will most definitely apply to my future career in law, academia, or policy. Cross-cultural competency, i.e., being able to connect and collaborate across cultural, linguistic, and national ties is also fundamental for my career, but also to building relationships in the world.
Any advice for prospective Jackson School students?
Studying abroad has been my favorite experience in the Jackson School. I would strongly encourage any prospective Jackson School students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. While learning in the classroom is important, it is truly unparalleled to work alongside communities around the world to advocate for human rights.
